WORK is due to start this month on a unique wellbeing centre for cancer patients.

Plans were submitted in April for the wellness centre which will form part of the state-of-the-art cancer centre at Colchester Hospital.

The latest enhancement to plans is the creation of a garden room at the wellness centre, with large sliding glass doors opening up onto a patio area.

The wellbeing centre will offer counselling and support services for patients and their families as they are treated for and recover from cancer.

It will be used to co-ordinate booked appointments for therapies and a drop-in service for cancer patients.

Other services being offered at the wellbeing centre include information advice and resources including the Macmillan Information Centre, welfare benefits advice and counselling services.

There will also be complementary therapies, physical activity services, practical support and dietary advice and it will also be a venue for self-help and support groups.

A meeting space will be available all year round for support groups to meet.

The wellbeing centre is due to be completed in December with the Collingwood Centre cancer facility - which will provide chemotherapy - due to be completed the week ending November 15.

On of the supporters of the Gazette-backed Cancer Centre Campaign is the Tom Bowdidge Foundation.

Tom died from a desmoplastic small round cell tumour and extensive peritoneal disease in 2013, aged 19.

The foundation was set up by his family and has donated thousands of pounds towards the new cancer centre.

The foundation’s chief executive Tom’s mum Nikki Bowdidge said: “When I was a mum going through this, using the wellbeing area in London was a chance for me to just recharge.

“From a patient point of view Tom used the therapies all the time and had regular relaxation sessions.

“The importance of the environment being calming is it takes them away from the stresses they are going through. It is not just about the chemotherapy, the other things are so important.”

Kerrie Williams, who helps to organise Invasion Colchester which has raised money for the cancer centre, said the wellbeing centre was a fantastic addition.

She said: “It sounds absolutely brilliant and goes above and beyond everything you would expect from the health service.

“We went up to the cancer centre site to see what they were doing and it really hit you. I think it’s amazing how the town has come together to do this and it’s so personal to everybody.

“One you have a diagnosis you have to deal with the treatment but people don’t realise the knock-on effect it has on your life and your body.

“Being able to have that advice from the wellness centre and to be spoilt and pampered means they will have something nice, and the Macmillan nurses are amazing.”

A total of £100,000 is still needed for the Collingwood and Wellbeing Centre furniture.

To donate visit www.colchesteripswichcharity.org.uk.

Caroline Bates, head of fundraising at the Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity, said: “Our fundraising will continue over the coming months and we have some wonderful events coming up organised by our supporters including Invasion Colchester on September 7.

“We hope everyone will support this amazing day, which is entirely run by volunteers.

“We are also holding a Halloween Abseil at Colchester Town Hall and would like people to take part and fundraise for the Cancer Centre Campaign.”

To sign up visit www.colchesteripswichcharity.org.uk/halloweenabseil.